The AFL's rigid determination to remove high bumps from the game gained momentum when the tribunal rubbed out Collingwood captain Nick Maxwell for four matches for rough conduct.

The tribunal found that Maxwell had a "realistic alternative" to contest the ball when he collided heavily with West Coast youngster Patrick McGinnity during their NAB Cup match this month. The collision left McGinnity with a broken jaw.

What do you think of the match review panel and tribunal's ruling? Has this decision created a significant precedent? Is the bump or hip-and-shoulder in AFL footy now a thing of the past?

Setanta O'hAilpin brought the footy season into sharp focus last Friday when the Irishman punched and kicked his Carlton teammate Cameron Cloke during an intra-club match.

It was a remarkable act and one that been discussed widely by footy fans in the days since.

Interestingly, the hot-heated O'hAilpin could conceivably play in round one despite agreeing to a four-match ban from the AFL. If the Blues reach the NAB Cup grand final - as they did in 2007 - they will have played four pre-season games and his punishment would have been served.

Regardless of whether Carlton imposes a separate punishment on the key-position player, there are some key questions to be considered: Is a four-match suspension a sufficient penalty for his actions? Should those games be served during the premiership season? Should Carlton seriously consider releasing the Irishman?

The AFL will trial three new rules during this year's pre-season competition with a view to each of them potentially being introduced for the home-and-away premiership season. The most notable rule change to go on trial is a free kick to be awarded against a player who deliberately rushes a behind.

The league says the rule is being trialled as a result of strong feedback from various AFL club officials who believe deliberately rushing behinds will become a much greater problem.

"The clear majority of clubs and coaches thought that deliberate rushed behinds are having a negative impact on the game and support the trial of a rule to discourage the tactic," AFL football operations manager Adrian Anderson said.

"The strong feedback the AFL received after the grand final was that clubs and coaches would deliberately rush more and more behinds if the rule was not changed."

History may show that the rule change will eventually be known as the Joel Bowden Rule. The veteran Richmond defender memorably rushed a few behinds in the last minute of a game to ensure victory against Essendon last year.

Do you think the AFL's proposed rule change will be a success and avert what would otherwise be a growing problem for the game?